Sounding-lead.



SOUNDIN APPLICATION FILE M. C. SCHWEINERT.

G LEA D JUNE Patented Feb. 22,1916.

WITNESSESI UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEieE.

IMIAXINFJILIAN CHARLES SCHWEINERT, OF WEST HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

soUNDING-LEAD.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXIMILIAN CHARLES SGHWEINERT, a citizen of theUnited States, residing in West hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sounding-Leads, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to sounding leads or the like, and aims to provide certain improvements therein.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, reliable and compact device for ascertaining the pressure of water at various depths, from which if desired the depth can be calculated.

According to my invention in its preferred form I provide a sounding lead comprising a weighted bodyI of any suitable shape which carries or is connected to a pressure indicator, means being provided for registering the pressure so that when the device is lifted the pressure can be ascertained.

, In the embodiment of my invention illustrated I provide a member responding to the external pressure, and a registering means for indicating the maximum movement of such member. Preferablv this comprises a movable member, a` spring against whose tension the movable member acts, and

'a registering device, such as a sleeve, which 1s moved upwardly by such movable member andheld in its maximum upper position by frictional or other means, so that when the device is lifted and the movable member is retracted by its spring the sleeve or other device will remain in the maximum position to which it has been moved.

In the drawings I have shown a sectional view of a sounding leadl illustrating one form of the invention, a portion of the indicating sleeve being illustrated in elevation.

Referring tothe drawings let A indicate the device as a whole which is preferably formed with a weighted bodv portion B and an upper cap portion C.- The can portion C is providedwith an eye D or other means for attaching it to the sounding lead.

The casing B is shown as provided with a longitudinal bore Ewhich extends through the casing into the cap portion, in which bore is located a spring F connected at its lower end with a screw-threaded sleeve G and at its upper end with a movable mem- Specication of Letters Patent. v

Patented Feb. 22, 191e.

Application led .Tune 12, 1911. Serial No. 632,639.

may be provided with screw-threaded portions designed to engage the ends of the spring as shown. Within the spring F is 4located a rubber tube I which is preferably closed at its upper end as shown, and which is provided at its lower end with a flange J which is pressed between the sleeve G and a tubular nlug K, also screwed into the lower part of the casing. The flange J may be utilized as a packing to provide a tight joint betweenthe casing and the sleeve G, or a packing L may be introduced between the outer end or the plug K'and the casing to prevent the ingress of waterunder pressure into the bore E of the casing.

In the upper part of the bore E is arranged a sliding sleeve M which incloses the upper end of the'spring F and tube I. This sleeve is adapted to be engaged by the movable member or plunger H, as shown, and raised to an extent determined by the pressure within the tube I. In order to hold the sleeve in any position to which it is moved by the plunger I-I, the sleeve is shown as provided with a split friction ring N.

The device is preferablv provided with a scale from which the varying pressures may be read. In the construction shown the shoulder L of the casing acts as an indicator while the scale l is laid out on the movable sleeve.

In order that the upper end of the sleeve M may not be subjected to the pressure of the water, the cap C is constructed to fit'the casing D with a leak-tight joint. In the form illustrated the cap and casing are provided with screw-threaded portions Q while a packing gasket R is introduced between shoulders formed on the casing and cap. The cap C is preferably of large dimensions, so that it incloses within it such a considerable body of air that the movement of the sleeve into the space thus formed will not materially increase the pressurel of the confined air.

The operation will be apparent from the foregoing description. Before sinking the lead, the cap C will be removed and the sleeve M if already raised will be moved downwardly by hand to its lowest position. The cap will then be replaced, and the lead sunk. During the descent of the lead the water entering through the hollow plug K into the tube will under the increasing pressure gradually raise the movable member I-I against the tension of the spring. the elastic tube I expanding with the pressure and foi-nung at all times a leali-tight connection between the movable memberand the casing. As the member H rises. it carries with it the sleeve M until the maximum pressure due to the particular depth of submergence is reached. The device is then raised, during which time the movable member is gradually retracted under the intiuence of its spring as the pressure is lessened. The sleeve. however. maintains its maximum position b v reason of its friction connection. IYhen the lead is fully. raised. the cap C is unscrewed so that the sounding can be read.

In the drawing the parts are shown in their partly elevated positions indicating a depth of seventy-five fathoms or pounds according to which system of graduation is adopted for the scale. After reading is taken` the sleeve M may be depressed to its lowest position and the cap C again screwed on preparatory to another sounding.

vhile I have shown and described in detail the preferred form of the invention. I do not wish to be limited thereto as various changes can be made therein without departing from the invention.

Any suitable form of casing may be employed. and the bore may have any direction. The opening may be protected by a screen T or other device if desired.

'hile the rubber tube shown in the drawing is the preferred. means for packing the f movable member other suitable means may be employed. Other indicating means than the sleeve shown may be used, and other means than those described for holding it in its varying positions. Other` changes of like import may also be made.

That Il claim is i 1. In a .sounding lead. the combination of a casing. a fluid pressure responsive device, means for registeringT the movements of said pressure responsive device. said casing con stituting means for relieving one side of said pressure responsive device from water pressure. said pressure responsive device and registering means being carried by said lead. said registering device being within said casing out of contact with the water.

2. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing. a yfluid pressure responsive device. means for registering the movements of said pressure responsive device. said casing having a closed chamber therein into which said pressure responsive device is adapted to extend, said pressure responsive device and registering means being carried by said lead. said registering device being within said closed chamber.

8. In a sounding lead. the combination of a casing having a closed chamber therein, a. movable fluid pressure member exposed on .one side to water pressure and having its other side protected from water pressure by said closed chamber, and a sleeve adapted to be moved by said movable pressure member, said sleeve being carried by said lead.

l. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing having a closed `chamber therein, a movable pressure memberexposed on one side to water pressure and having its other side protected from water pressure by said closed chamber, a sleeve adapted to be moved by said movable pressure member, said sleeve being carried by said casing and being adapted to move in said closed chamber. 5. In a sounding lead, the combination of a. casing having a closed chamber therein, an

extensible tube open on its interior to water i pressure and extensible into said closed chamber, a spring adapted to resist extension of said tube, and an indicating device movable by said tube in one direction and adapted to remain stationary upon movement of said tube in the other direction.

6. In a sounding lead, the combination of an extensible tube open on its interiorto water pressure. a spring adapted to resist extension of said tube, an indicating device movable with said tube, and means for holding said indicating device in its various p0- sitions.

7. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing having a closed chamber therein adapted to be opened and closed, and having a bore, and a pressure indicating device within said bore extending into said closed chamber, and exposed to water pressure on one side.

8. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing having a chamber adapted to be opened and closed, said casing being formed with a bore extending from the exterior thereof to said chamber, an extensible tube fixed at one end within said bore, a spring surrounding said tube. and adapted to resist extension thereof, a movable member connected with the upper end of said spring:

and a sleeve adapted to be moved by said movable member into said chamber.

9. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing having a chamber adapted to be opened and closed, said casing being formed with a bore extending from the exterior thereof to said chamber, an extensible tube fixed atone end within said bore, a spring surrounding said tube, and adapted to resist extension thereof, a movable member connected with the upper end of said spring,

'and a sleeve adapted to be moved by said i movable member into said chamber. said sleeve and movable member being disconnected whereby said movable member may be retracted without retracting said sleeve.

10. In a sounding lead, the combination of a casing having a chamber adapted to be opened and closed, said casing' being formed ywith a bore extending from the exterior 10 Without retracting said sleeve, and means for holding said sleeve in its various positions.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MAXIMILIAN CHARLES SGHWEIN ERT.

Witnesses:

EUGENE E. MYERS, THOMAS F. WALLACE. 

